Travelling whilst pregnant. Should you? Shouldn't you? Before you travel, you'll want the peace of mind that you and your unborn child will have access to medical treatment whenever you need it. This is precisely where pregnant travel insurance can help.
Standard travel policies will exclude pregnancy as a medical condition which is excluded from their cover. A pregnant travel insurance policy is designed to fill this gap to allow pregnant women to travel with peace of mind.
The premiums for pregnant travel insurance tend to be higher due to the increased number of claims for medical bills. This may not be the result of any severe problems but a check, few days in hospital or further complications can quickly results in a hefty medical bill where other countries do not offer a free health service. Pregnant travel insurance ensures that money isn't an obstacle to this support.
The majority of insurers provide pregnant travel insurance up until the 28th week of pregnancy. This limitation is usually displayed in the small print. You should check this carefully before you travel to give you time to arrange the necessary pregnant travel insurance cover.
If you require pregnant travel insurance beyond the 28 week threshold, you should be looking to get on the phone to the travel insurers directly. Although they may stipulate a limitation in their standard pregnant travel insurance policy, they may be willing to provide you with extended cover over the phone. They may offer you pregnant travel insurance extensions in exchange for a higher premium or a higher excess. Again, check the small print within the pregnant travel insurance documents.
Other than arranging a suitable pregnant travel insurance policy, there are things you can do to make your trip hassle free. Before you travel, try to have at least your first parental check up. Your doctor or midwife will be able to provide you with travelling advice, drawing on years of experience. Although pregnant travel insurance provides financial protection, it is wise to speak to your GP before you travel to ensure there are no medical issues. They may also provide you with a letter to verify your medical state - potentially useful when negotiating pregnant travel insurance cover.
Just as you should check your pregnant travel insurance policy for the pregnancy duration limitations, also check any limits put in place by the airline. Once you're up in the air, make sure you move around and drink plenty of water.
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